Walker is the perfect size for a 4-3 player and Madden 23 coins has the athleticism that is normally reserved for a 3-4 edge runner. The issue I'm trying to reconcile is taking this big of a chance with an elite pick on one who scored 9.5 sacks during his college career ... all in all.
Do not get me wrong, raw statistics aren't all-all, be all of college pass rushers, but here's something that worries me: In the top 10 of sacks leading during Madden NFL 23 Madden NFL 23 last year one player didn't possess at least 10.0 sacks per game in the college. It was Micah Parsons. It's really frightening to imagine a player this high without any proof of their success.
Cross is the top pass blocking offensive tackle in this draft, in all likelihood. The thought of him falling to the 13th pick. 13 selection is just unbelievable to me. I can understand the way this happened due to the way their mock was forming however I can't believe it.
It wasn't too long ago that I had Cross added to the Panthers with the number. 6 and was still concerned that there was a possibility that he would not be available. There are downside concerns with Cross which are leading some (including me) to select Evan Neal above him as the second-best offensive tackle of the draft. But I'd be amazed to see that the Falcons and Seahawks making a move on him.
But if the Texans are able to walk away with Kayvon Thibodeaux as well as Charles Cross as this mock has been arranged, would it be a great time to party in Houston.
Everyone has Sauce Gardner going as the top cornerback this year. I get it. In the end, the obvious 2nd best CB could be Derek Stingley Jr, and I agree with that. Then the mock Kiper/McShay goes off the rails to me.
Daxton Hill at No. 18. Andrew Booth Jr. at No. 25. then we'll have to wait until the pick 48 is made for Kaiir Elam? What is this madness?
Elam is better than even Hill and Booth Jr. to me but he's also falling. Mel generally confirms that he chose Hill in the first round because he loves him. This isn't a bad thing, but it scares me quite a bit. A guy who nearly exclusively played slot corner in college with the 18th overall pick is really worrying to me.
I was able to see Hill entering the late 20s to a team that was in the playoffs however, the most important thing was that it happened after Elam had been removed from the team.
It's another Mel selection, and he acknowledges that Watson may be a bit raw and yet I'm amazed that the fact that he's picked No. 22 in the Packers with a bit of other talent left available.
Traylon Burks and Jahan Dotson each go later in my rankings, and I have higher ratings on both players. It's awe inspiring to observe Watson getting this high with regard to his upside Green Bay needs dire need of an experienced, Madden NFL 23-ready receiver who is quick to make an impact.
A part of me is convinced Watson's physical skills could make him an ideal first rounder, I just dislike putting him up against Aaron Rodgers.
Linderbaum is as cheap madden coins a pick as there's been over the past five years.